CNN.com - Nepal village swept away by landslide

Nepal has been hit by a series of deadly mudslides as monsoon rains lash South Asia

KATHMANDU, Nepal (CNN) -- A massive landslide in eastern Nepal has claimed up to 70 lives, officials say.

Monsoon rains are likely to have triggered the flow of mud and rocks that wiped out an entire village in the Ramechhap region, according to local police.

The landslide occurred on Wednesday at 0400 local time in the village Damti, located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) east of Kathmandu.

Up to 40 houses are thought to have been swept away by the landslide, which occurred early in the morning when most in the village would have been sleeping.

Authorities have sent a helicopter loaded with relief supplies to the area, although according to reports bad weather was making it difficult to reach the mountainous region.

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Nepal's monsoon season usually lasts from June to September, which often result in severe flooding and landslides.

Estimates of damage to roads, bridges, school buildings as well as crop losses are being prepared by officials as heavy rains continue to lash the country.

Thousands displaced

Thousands of villagers displaced by floods are still taking shelter in schools or other temporary abodes through 47 of Nepal's 75 districts.

Red Cross officials say flooding and landslides have killed more than 400 people in Nepal since July.

Large parts of South Asia have been devastated by monsoonal flooding over the past two months, while low-lying regions in Thailand, Vietnam and China have also been hard hit.

As the monsoon and typhoon seasons gather pace, millions of people have been displaced, with the downpours showing little sign of relenting.

Reuters contributed to this report.